India, Dec. 22 -- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Maharashtra government has decided to systematically use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to strengthen and upgrade public healthcare services across the state. The move is part of the Public Health department's long-term roadmap - Healthcare Access Vision: By 2029 - which aims to ensure affordable, accessible and quality healthcare, especially for tribal, remote and marginalised populations.

A senior official, on request of anonymity, said on Sunday that the decision comes at a time when the state's public health system is grappling with multiple challenges. Nearly 70% of planned infrastructure upgrades in the state remain incomplete. Several public health facilities su...